Dancing on the Inside - Softcover

Strathy, Glen C.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1462018718 ISBN 13: 9781462018710

Publisher: iUniverse Publishing, 2011

Synopsis

Gold Medal, 2012 Independent Publisher Book Awards
2011 Reader Views Reviewers Choice Award

"This story written for 'Tweens' is so good that it will transcend that age group. The story plot seems deceptively simple, but it unfurls with complexity. And Jenny is a character you can take into your heart. One that is vulnerable and shackled by her shyness, but who struggles to stay close to the thing she loves most...any way she can. Overcoming pride, guilt, and inadequacy, she moves painstakingly toward her goal. This is my first read by author Glen C. Strathy and I highly recommend his style and voice. His ability to get inside the head and heart of his young subject, Jenny, is a spark of pure talent, with just a sprinkle of magical insight. BE SURE TO PUT THIS ONE ON YOUR CHILD'S READING SHELF." - Lynda Coker, Review from Here

Summary: Sidelined by a paralyzing anxiety, a twelve-year-old girl uses determination and friendship to pursue her dream of becoming a ballet dancer in this uplifting middle-grade novel.

"An excellent story for the young girl reader. The story is about ballet and what it means to love to dance, friendship, rivalry - a big part in any dance class - and doing what you love..."-- awolfe at LibraryThing

"Wow what an amazing book ! I love anything to do with Ballet but this book went beyond that. I loved Jenny and could really relate to her but her friend Ara was the amazing one in this book too who supported her friend and helped her to overcome obstacles. Can't give to much info here or it will spoil it for others. All I can say is this is a book that most people should read!"
- Jane(Janelba) on Goodreads

About this title

About the Author

Glen C. Strathy started writing stories when he was 11 years old and became enamored of the opportunities for self-expression that writing and the arts offer people of all ages and backgrounds.  Coauthor of a New York Times Bestselling Business Book, he has also worked as an actor, teacher, and freelance writer. His website, how-to-write-a-book-now.com, offers advice to budding authors.

From the Back Cover

Ever since her grandparents gave her a DVD of Swan Lake, twelve-year old Jenny Spark has wanted to be a dancer. But on her first day of ballet class, she suffers a panic attack and makes a horrifying discovery. She's terrified of dancing in front of the other kids, and as for actually performing for an audience? Forget it.


Yet Jenny refuses to give up her dream. With determination and a little ingenuity, she finds ways to observe ballet classes without actually participating. She trains in the safety of her room, while hiding the truth from her parents. Then Jenny meets her exact opposite: Ara Reyes, an outgoing, spontaneous, and accident-prone girl who loves dancing but has always been overlooked.


The girls' friendship blossoms as they help each other uncover their real talents. Ara's dancing takes a leap forward and Jenny discovers she has an amazing gift for choreography. With the support of the school's newest teacher, Jenny's original ballet might just make it on stage ... but will she?


Charming and inspiring, Dancing on the Inside shows how pursuing our passions can often lead to wonderful and unexpected results.

From the Inside Flap

Excerpt from page 70:

"As she was getting ready for bed that night, Jenny bent down and picked up a pair of pyjamas that had fallen on the floor-without bending her knees. Straightening, she suddenly realized that, two months ago, she couldn't have done that. She looked down at her legs, which had been firmed by hundreds of rélevés. She had changed in these past two months. And yet, she was just beginning. How much more was there to discover? How much further could she change if she had the chance?

"There was something missing in her. A hole that dance promised to fill. It had called to her that first time she saw the DVD of Swan Lake, and it was calling even more strongly now.

"Jenny decided that somehow she had to get back into that studio, and with her parents blessing next time. She didn't know exactly how to do it. She just knew she would."

Edition details

• Publisher: iUniverse Publishing
• Publication date: 2011
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1462018718
• ISBN 13: 9781462018710
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 236